German Rams

[billyfield88]

Why are some of my german rams rising to the surface of the tank so often? They seem to do it quite a lot, ecspecially after feeding time. My other fish dont do this. I just wandered if this was a sign of ill health.

 

[Zante]

What are your water parameters?
Temperature, hardness, ph, nitrites, nitrates, etc...

 

[billyfield88]

Temperature 81-27
Nitrite 0PPM
Nitrate 5ppm
ph 7.2

Temperature 81-27
Nitrite 0PPM
Nitrate 5ppm
ph 7.2

oh and its a rio 180litre

 

[Zante]

Mmm?.. Ph 7.2 is just about outside the recommended range, 6.5, or even 6 would be better. What are the tank mates?

Also, rams need soft water, what is the water hardness? From your ph I'd make an educated guess that it is fairly hard.

 

[billyfield88]

tank mates are 12neons and 3 rainbow fish and a betta. They seem to get on quite well together. I was under the impression that i live in a soft water area. still not sure why they are doing this.

 

[Zante]

As I said mine is an educated guess, but get your water analysed and find out the hardness.

Also, do bring down the ph, at least to 6.5.
Not only the rams will be happier, but the neons also will be happier.

The betta will be fine either way

The rainbowfish... Well he won't be as happy.

That is the reason why biotope aquariums are a good idea. All the fish and inverts have the same requirements.

As things stand, if it were my tank, I'd get rid of the rainbowfish, move the betta to his own tank (make it a 40 litre) and make an amazon biotope in your main tank.

... But it's your tank, so you must decide what to do. Think seriously about your population and what you want to achieve and remember that compromises don't work very well at all.

If a fish can live between ph 6.5 and 8.5 (for example) it means that it will be happy roughly in the middle, and if taken to the extremes of his range it won't be as happy.

Check the water hardness, both general and carbonate. It's important.